Reed proved a couple of weeks back that he clearly understood the definition of “optional” when he passed on a “come-if-you-want” 3-day camp at Owings Mills.

Today, unfortunately, he forgot what mandatory means.

The future Hall-of-Famer didn’t communicate with the Ravens on the subject, so they have no idea what’s happening with their mercurial safety. They’re guessing, like everyone else, but it would have been cool for Reed to at least send a text or leave a voice mail for the coach or GM to just say, “Hey, I’m alive…but I won’t be there this week. Later.”

Instead, like a kid who cuts class, Reed’s seat was simply empty with no explanation or note from home explaining his absence.

Bush league? Sure. But the Ravens were expecting it.

The good news for the Ravens is that the guys who actually lead the team, like quarterback Joe Flacco and wide receiver Anquan Boldin and linebackers Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs were in attendance.

Suggs was there even though he’s not able to play due to injury.

Reed decided not to show up.

No one knows why, for sure, but nearly everyone who speculates for a living is guessing that Reed is trying to squeeze one more contract out of the Ravens.

I guess $7 million to basically stroll through training camp with a red jersey on and then play 16 games in the regular season isn’t enough to motivate Reed.

Comments on Facebook

6 Comments For This Post

Ed Reed has proven that he is a “gamer” in every sense of the word! So, his absence is a non-issue. As long as he’s able to perform on game day, who cares whether he’s in camp or not! In fact, he’s less likely to get hurt if he’s NOT practicing!

You can be sure the young players are taking note of Reed’s absence. When the going gets tough in November or December, it will be Ray Lewis (still) who will be the leader of that team. It is a shame that Reed can’t come in with the attitude that the main goal here is a Super Bowl ring, not a new contract. No, missing a mini camp won’t affect Reed’s play, but it will color the way other players look at him. Interesting that Suggs can attend the camp, but not Reed.

Worth noting perhaps, is that Polamalu managed to show up for all of the mini-camps this off-season, even the optional ones. Said he wanted to set an example for the younger players on the team. Will it make a difference?

Go ahead and pound sand if you expect me to be a mind reader…And, by the way, if I do give you a new contract that you like will you do the same thing 2 years later if you feel “undervalued” again.

If I was an NFL owner, I will include a “no whining” clause on every contract that you gleefully play every year of your contract even if another player in your position is making more money in the future. If you feel uncomfortable about that possibility, THEN DON’T SIGN THE CONTRACT and play somewhere else who will tolorate your sensativities.

Ed Reed will be a Raven this yr, that’s for sure. He isn’t going to walk away on 7mil contract. Oh contract, that’s right, a contract he signed in good faith that is also legal & binding. How Ed plays this tr will depend if the Ravens even want him around next yr or be offered a new contract. If I were Ed Weed, (pun intended), I would be in the best shape of my life & play my azz off if I wanted another big payday from Baltimore. If not, it’s this yr & then the sunset for this malcontent.